Volunteer

Volunteer positions are available for 2010 from August through until November!




Joining LEAP as a volunteer gives you the opportunity, not to just visit the projects run by LEAP by to become a part of them. Each volunteer’s experience is unique. We try to match your skills and interests to the projects that are ongoing at the time and to find your niche amongst the team.

We ask each volunteer to come for a minimum of 1 month, this way you really get to experience what it means to live and work out here.

Before you come, we ask you to write a page about yourself, your skills, interests and experience and reason for wanting to volunteer with LEAP. We retain the right to accept or reject any application at our own discretion.

We charge USD$25 per day this covers your accommodation and food while you are with us. This amount needs to be paid if full before you arrive and in non refundable.

Work:
During your month, you will follow the work day of the rest of the LEAP staff and team. You will be placed with a staff member who works in the area of your skills and assist them in their daily work. Sometimes they will speak English, sometimes not!

The work that you do each day will depend on your skills and abilities. You may be helping out with the Coconut Kids Club, assisting in the Fibre-glass canoe building workshop, helping with building projects, gardening, painting or general maintenance jobs. We ask that you be flexible and willing to learn, try new things and have fun at the same time.

Accommodation:
Depending on when you come you will either be living on land or on the boat, neither can be guaranteed and we expect you to be flexible in this regard.

Living accommodation on board the boat may be a bunk in a cabin; it may be a mattress on the floor. On land you will be housed in the LEAP bungalow where you may have a room to yourself, or you may share with others.

Food:
Food varies from western style meals to Indonesian dishes made from locally available produce. It may be difficult for vegetarians staying on land, as sometimes vegetables are limited as is alternate sources of protein and it helps if you eat fish.
We provide you with three meals per day, we ask that you eat together with the rest of the group. Any snacks or meals outside of those provided by LEAP are at your own expense.


Leisure time:
You will work alongside the staff member that you have been placed with and roughly follow their working hours. After you finish your time is your own to rest, play or explore. If you are on land you will be able to take the weekends off to visit other islands if you wish. This will be at your own expense.

Travel:
We expect you to arrange your own travel to and from the LEAP centre or boat. We will assist you in any way that we can but the responsibility and cost of finding your own way there will be yours.

Health:
Please make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance that includes an evacuation policy.

Please consult your doctor before you come and inform him/her that you will be visiting an area where there is Malaria. Dengue fever; dysentery; gastroenteritis and hepatitis are all present but not all common.

We have a well stocked medical kit, but you should bring your own prescription medications and we may ask you to bring something that we are lacking, which we will pay for.

What to bring:

• Light weight comfortable clothes. We ask that girls be aware of modesty and not wear short shorts, short skirts or revealing singlets.
• Long pants and long sleeved shirts for night time to protect against mosquitoes.
• A good outfit to wear to church or if there is a village function.
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellant
• Raincoat
• Light sweater
• Strong sandals or “Crocs” are the best footwear.

When traveling through cities it is good form for men to wear long pants and girls to wear mid- long sleeves and long pants or skirts.

We also always welcome donations of toys, clothes, craft materials, tools, medicines and books for the project. If you are able to collect these through your school, club or church this is much appreciated.





Money:

We ask that you pay us in advance for your stay via telegraphic transfer. Please calculate your travel costs and spending money needs and have this with you when you arrive. There are no banks outside of Guningsitoli (the capital of Nias) and nowhere in Nias takes credit cards or travelers cheques. We can give you a clearer idea of exactly how much this will be closer to the time of arrival.


Religion:

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim nation. We ask that you respect this in your dress and behavior.
The area where we work has both Christian and Muslim locals.
LEAP is a Christian organization. We hold regular prayer meetings for our staff and interested locals. We do not require our volunteers to attend, but of course you are welcome.

Most importantly come with a positive attitude, be flexible and willing to learn, as well as have fun!

Look forward to seeing you in Nias!




Some of what our previous volunteers have had to say about their experience with LEAP in Nias:

Hannahs Testimony

When I heard the news of a tsunami that had devastated so much of Asia and that had taken countless lives…I was shell-shocked. It seemed unreal to me. Incomprehensible to a young 17-year-old Australian girl who had never broken a bone in her body little own experienced any kind of disaster. I wanted to grieve so much for the victims and their families and to understand what they might have been going through. The only means I had was in the daily news, which sprawled countless images of the devastation and death, half of Asia left in ruins.
But life continued on as always and it wasn’t until three months later after Indonesia was devastated by the earthquake that I realized I could do something.
I have known Ruby for many many years and when I learned of the Indo Jiwa and the Leap project I was instantly hooked. I knew from the moment Ruby invited me to help in Indonesia that I was going! I didn’t know how long it would take me to get there but I felt instantly connected with the type of work they were doing and I wanted so much to help.
Finally on the 10th November 2005 I flew out to Nias and the Hinako Islands. What an incredible adventure it became. I jumped aboard the Indo Jiwa having never sailed before in my life and felt completely at home. The Senaratnes were so welcoming that I didn’t find it hard to jump straight into life on the boat and the islands.
Certainly not a hard life! When I wasn’t on the island hanging out with all the villagers or teaching the children English through various games and songs, I was spending quality time with the awesome crew members whom I’d grown to love so much, snorkeling, swimming, reading, watching movies and my favorite pass time…eating coconut!
My dream for a long time has been to study in third world development and be a part of something to make a difference to peoples lives. This experience in indonesia has widened my eyes so much and gave me a real opportunity to see how it all works. I am so greatful for the people I was able to meet and the experiences I have had. Being on the Indo Jiwa has caused me to grow a lot both in character and heart. I am so thankful for the opportunity to understand a bit about life in Indonesia and what the people have been through. Something I will surely never forget.











Contact Us for more information.